We recently connected with Melanie Levin and have shared our conversation below.

Melanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Over the past decade, I’ve focused on introducing the wedding industry, and in recent years have expanded that focus to covering the travel industry. My goal has been to bridge the gap between these two complementary fields—both rooted in hospitality and creativity—that often operate separately despite their natural synergy. As I expanded my wedding planning business, I partnered with Plaza Travel, now FROSCH, a luxury travel agency, to assist my clients with room blocks and honeymoons. As the travel arm of my company grew, I connected with more hotel reps eager to collaborate directly with wedding planners. Over the past year, I’ve worked to connect my hotel partners with my wedding planner network, fostering collaboration to better serve both industries. This past year, I’ve been lucky enough to be nominated as a Rising Star by Travel + Leisure and ILTM. As a result, I’ve traveled the world to conferences meeting new reps who want to learn more about the luxury wedding market and have already collaborated with me in terms of FAM trips, styled shoots, venue proposals and more!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my career early—so it’s no surprise people are often shocked by how young I am! While in high school, I worked as a wedding planning intern at The Crossings golf course in Carlsbad, where I grew up. At the time, I thought of wedding planning as just a “profitable hobby” and never imagined it could become my full-time career. When people encouraged me to take the leap, I hesitated—I didn’t want to risk losing my passion for something I loved.

Fast forward ten years: I built a career in advertising and PR, promoting events across the country. Even when event planning wasn’t part of my corporate job, it kept finding its way into my work. During COVID, I had an epiphany. I realized how skilled I was at planning weddings, even during times of crisis when we had to reschedule and replan everything, and began to rethink what was possible. I made a promise to myself: if I could match my full-time salary through wedding planning, I’d give it everything I had. That moment came sooner than I expected, as the world started getting back on its feet.

Now, I get to do what I love every day and work with clients who truly inspire me. I’ve created a business that reflects my values, where I don’t have to say “yes” to every opportunity. I can also expand my company into the travel sector without worrying about failing because I have built such a strong base over time.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I took the time to explore different paths. Waiting a little longer to dive into entrepreneurship gave me the perspective, experience, and confidence I needed to succeed on my own terms. It’s proof that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. If you trust the process and stay true to yourself, the right opportunities will come—and when they do, you’ll be ready.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Starting my career at such a young age placed me squarely in the prime demographic for social media. People my age were building entire careers around it, always chasing new ways to connect. I feel fortunate to have grown up with a natural learning curve that allowed me to dive into social media with curiosity and confidence. During COVID, I started experimenting with TikTok. It was new, fun, and full of potential—but figuring out the algorithm was not easy.

That early trial and error paid off because when Instagram introduced Reels, I was ready. I repurposed the TikToks I had spent so much time creating, and some of those early Reels went viral, helping me gain about half of my current following. By putting my face, voice, and personality front and center, I was able to extend my reach and connect with my audience on a personal level.

Now, when clients discover me through social media, they often reach out knowing they want to work with me because my Reels and TikToks have already built a sense of trust and familiarity.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For a long time, the most rewarding part of being a planner was seeing my designs come to life. Witnessing something I had spent over a year creating take shape in the real world was inspiring and fueled my passion. Over time, as I gained more experience, the process became second nature and the novelty of seeing my designs in person wore off.

As I worked with more and more clients, many of whom were deeply invested in every detail of their wedding (thanks in part to social media…), my sense of fulfillment began to shift. The real reward became seeing their reactions as their dream wedding unfolded before their eyes. That emotional connection and shared excitement are what keep me inspired today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luckeleven.com
• Instagram: luckeleven_events & luckeleven_travel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanielevin/
• Other: tiktok: @luckeleven_events

Image Credits

Ali Beck Photography
Brocoff Photography
Christy Speers
Ali Beck Photography
Gregory Ross Photography